KWU Volleyball Stays Unbeaten in KCAC

KSAL Sports - October 24, 2013 6:03 am

McPHERSON – The Kansas Wesleyan Volleyball team remained unbeaten in KCAC play as the Coyotes defeated the McPherson College Bulldogs 25-19, 18-25, 25-14, 25-14 on Wednesday night at the McPherson College Sport Center.

“What a great match,” Wesleyan head coachFred Aubuchon said. “McPherson was very solid and moved the ball around very well tonight.”

Trailing 4-3 in the first set, the Coyotes scored the next eight points capped by an ace by Marlene Yang to take an 11-4 lead. McPherson would get back within three at 12-9, and again at 17-14 before Wesleyan regained control. A kill by Brittaney Miller set up set point for the Coyotes, and another kill by Miller would close the set with a 25-19 victory for Wesleyan.

McPherson controlled the second set, jumping out to a 6-0 lead before a kill by Lauren Chamness got the Coyotes on the board. A block by Miller and Melissa Blair got the Coyotes within two of the Bulldogs at 7-5 and the Coyotes would stay within two points until McPherson took a 12-7 lead in the set. The Bulldogs would extend their lead to 20-13, but Wesleyan got within five at 23-18 before McPherson would take the set 25-18.

“After the second set we made a few adjustments that worked well and we started doing a better job executing,” Aubuchon said.

Wesleyan did execute quite well in the final two sets. In the third, the Coyotes led 7-6 before a kill by Taylor Klover would awaken Wesleyan’s offense. The lead would extend to 10-6 and would remain at four points at 13-9 when the Coyotes pulled away. A kill by Breanne Schultz extended Wesleyan’s lead to 17-10 and a kill by Chamness pushed the lead to 21-12 before wrapping up the 25-14 win on a kill by Miller.

The Coyotes rocketed out to a 7-1 lead in the fourth set and never looked back. A kill by Klover pushed Wesleyan’s lead to double digits for the first time at 13-3 and the Coyotes would maintain around the 10-point cushion the entire set.

Wesleyan had incredible offensive balance with five players with at least nine kills in the match. Schultz led the way with 15, while Miller added 11 and Chamness had 10. Taylor Elkinton handed out 47 assists and made it a double-double with 11 digs.Marlene Yang led the Coyote defense with 20 digs, while Miller had 18. Five Coyotes reached double digits in digs as well. The Coyotes had 13 total blocks, led by Taylor Klover with seven, while Schultz had six.

“We ended with a great balance of offense and defense with five players getting double digits in digs and kills,” Aubuchon said.

The Coyotes return home on Friday night, hosting Tabor College at 7 p.m. at Mabee Arena. The match is part of Wesleyan’s Coyotes for the Cure Pink Week, raising awareness for the fight against Breast Cancer. The Coyotes will be holding a silent auction for game worn jerseys along with many other activities going on during the match.